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Newscast

BBC Newswww.bbc.co.uk

The BBC's daily news podcast, Newscast dives into the day's biggest news stories so you're never out of your depth.

Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you're ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest news, developments in politics in Westminster and beyond.

Newscast is hosted by trusted politics and news journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O'Connell.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say "Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer.

GET IN TOUCH: You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to 03301239480 Email Newscast@bbc.co.uk Or use the hashtag #BBCNewscast

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Episodes

Prime Minister Sunak

Penny drops... Laura K gives us her instant take. The ex-Chancellor who lost to Liz Truss in the Tory leadership race just seven weeks ago now has the keys to Number 10, after Penny Mordaunt failed to secure the nominations she needed to set up a vote among Conservative MPs. How did Rishi Sunak get here, what will he actually do as PM and what challenges will be face? Laura Kuenssberg gives us her instant take. This emergency Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Chris Flynn. The technical...

Oct 24, 202220 min

The Leadership Race... What next?

Chris Mason and Alex Forsyth talk it all through with Adam Fleming. What will happen this week? How does the leadership race work? And how much support has each candidate got? Rishi Sunak says he is in the race to be the next Conservative leader (and prime minister), Business Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg, tells the BBC that Boris Johnson "will clearly stand" and Penny Mordaunt (who had already declared she was going to run) says she regrets Liz Truss's mini-budget. This emergency Newscast was made...

Oct 23, 202229 min

The Leadership Race... Any Questions?

The Conservative leadership race is on, and rumours are swirling about which MPs will join Penny Mordaunt in putting themselves forward to become the next Prime Minister. Adam is joined by Rob Watson from the BBC World Service, and Will Walden, former communications director to Boris Johnson, to talk about the possible contenders - and ask whether Johnson could be eyeing up a return to Number 10 Downing Street. Stephen Jardine from BBC Radio Scotland , Trish Adudu from BBC Coventry and Warwicksh...

Oct 21, 202231 min

A(nother) Leadership Race

Who could be the new PM, and how will they be chosen? Adam, Chris and Alex are back in the studio to look at how the leadership race will work, who might put themselves forward, and who might be in with a shout. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming, the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason, and political correspondent Alex Forsyth. It was made by Chris Flynn and Danny Wittenberg. The assistant editors were Sam Bonham and Alison Gee.

Oct 20, 202226 min

The Liz Truss Resignationcast

Sir Keir Starmer is in the studio with instant reaction. He says he has a “ready-to-go” manifesto and defends himself from those who accuse him of being boring. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming, the BBC’s political editor Chris Mason, and political correspondent Alex Forsyth. It was made by Chris Flynn and Danny Wittenberg. The technical producer was Joe Leates. The assistant editors were Sam Bonham and Alison Gee.

Oct 20, 202232 min

Another One Bites the Truss

Suella Braverman has resigned as home secretary and Grant Shapps has taken over. Adam and Chris are joined by Pippa Crerar, the Guardian’s Political Editor, who broke the story. And Frances O’Grady, the General Secretary of the British Trades Union Congress (TUC), talks through what’s been happening at the Brighton Congress and shares her perspective on working with Shapps. Today’s Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Chris Flynn. The producers were Miranda Slade and Clare Williams...

Oct 19, 202234 min

Castfest Live 2022

Adam is back from his holiday and behind the microphone at the BBC Radio Theatre for a live recording of today’s Newscast. He’s joined by Chris and BBC Economics Editor Faisal Islam to discuss the Prime Minister’s battle to regain authority amid Tory party unrest. Culture Editor Katie Razall is also on stage to say happy 100th birthday to the BBC. Today’s Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and Chris Mason and made by Tim Walklate. The producers were Chris Flynn and Clare Williamson. The tech...

Oct 18, 202235 min

Chris's Liz Truss Interview

The PM apologises for her ‘mistakes’. Chris interviews Liz Truss about the U-turns she has made since sacking Kwasi Kwarteng and making Jeremy Hunt chancellor. Today’s Newscast was presented by political correspondent Alex Forsyth, BBC News political correspondent, and made by Tim Walklate. The producer was Miranda Slade. The assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

Oct 17, 202220 min

The Hunt Is On

The Chancellor ditches almost all of PM Liz Truss's tax cuts announced in the government's mini-budget three weeks ago. The BBC's Alex Forsyth hosts Newscast, and chats to the BBC's Ben Chu, as well as Charlotte Ivers from Times Radio, and Gavin Barwell, the former Downing Street Chief of Staff to Theresa May. Today’s Newscast was presented by Alex Forsyth, BBC News political correspondent, and made by Tim Walklate. The producers were Miranda Slade and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer wa...

Oct 17, 202230 min

KamiKwasi

Liz Truss replaces her Chancellor and U-turns again. Is that enough for her to stay on as prime minister? Chris Mason and Alex Forsyth have been chatting to politicians and the public, while BBC Newsnight’s economics editor Ben Chu explains what it means for the markets and our money. Plus, two people who know the PM and her new next-door neighbour Jeremy Hunt very well, former special adviser Kirsty Buchanan and ex-Conservative minister Ed Vaizey, give us the inside scoop on what Downing Street...

Oct 14, 202236 min

The Spin Doctor Will See You Now

Two former communications directors, for both Labour and Conservative governments, say they would struggle to spin their way out of the situation Liz Truss is in. Alastair Campbell, who worked for Tony Blair, says Tory MPs are telling him they want her to go. And Craig Oliver, who worked for David Cameron, says it’s possible she won’t be prime minister at Christmas. Also, Marianna Spring, Americast host and disinformation and social media correspondent, gives us an update on her investigation in...

Oct 13, 202232 min

No cuts, Truss me

PM pledges no public spending reductions. Chris Mason joins Rachel Burden and Rick Edwards, who are standing in for Adam today, to pour over the PM’s pledge to cut taxes without reining in public spending. And we discuss why life can be so tough for referees in English grassroots football, with BBC sports presenter and amateur official, Ben Croucher, and Janie Frampton, from the charity, Ref Support. Today’s episode was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade and Chris Flynn. The technical produ...

Oct 12, 202234 min

Gilt Trip

Can the Bank of England calm the markets? Victoria Derbyshire is in the presenter’s chair and is joined by Ben Chu, Newsnight’s economics editor, who explains what's going on, and how it could affect your finances. Chris Mason is also on, after the Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, gets questioned by MPs in the Commons over his economic plans. And, Dictionary Corner’s Susie Dent helps translate some journalese. Today’s episode was made by Tim Walklate with Clare Williamson and Chris Flynn. The technic...

Oct 11, 202233 min

Strikes Across Ukraine

Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities as Putin threatens "harsh" action. We get the latest on Monday’s deadly blasts with the BBC’s International Editor, Jeremy Bowen, and Ukrainecast host, Vitaliy Shevchenko. They discuss President Putin’s motivation, the risk of further "escalation" and the chances for diplomacy. And on the final day of the SNP conference, Scotland editor, James Cook, explores Nicola Sturgeon’s plans for Scottish independence. This episode of Newscast is presented by the BBC’s...

Oct 10, 202232 min

Covid Catch-up

Covid levels are rising again in the UK. The BBC’s medical editor Fergus Walsh talks us through what could happen if the increase coincides with flu season. This episode of Newscast is presented by BBC Newsnight’s UK editor Sima Kotecha, who also talks us through a story she’s been investigating about racist and homophobic abuse in a WhatsApp group of former Metropolitan Police officers. She discusses what the force can do to tackle racism in its ranks with former Met Police Chief Superintendent...

Oct 07, 202231 min

Political Editors Assemble

We’ve assembled the political editors from ITV, Sky and the BBC to reveal what’s been going on behind the scenes at the Labour and the Conservatives party conferences. Robert Peston, Beth Rigby and Chris Mason have the inside track on what ministers and backbenchers are saying about their leaders, the changes they’ve seen in Liz Truss since she became prime minister and why they think MPs find it more fun to be a rebel than toe the party line. This episode of Newscast is presented by the BBC’s p...

Oct 06, 202235 min

Liz Truss's Speech

Liz Truss delivers her first leader’s speech at Tory conference. Adam and Chris are joined by Charlotte Ivers, political correspondent at Times Radio, to unpack the PM’s economic plan, what she means by the ‘anti-growth coalition’, and what happened when protesters interrupted the speech. Liz Truss arrived to the sound of M People's 90s hit Moving on Up - Adam speaks to the group’s founder Mike Pickering, who isn’t happy about it. Today’s Newscast is hosted by Adam Fleming and political editor C...

Oct 05, 202230 min

Abuse of Truss

Cabinet divisions dominate the Tory party conference. Adam and Chris chew over another challenging day for Prime Minister Liz Truss, who faces mounting pressure over her refusal to commit to increasing benefits in line with inflation. We discuss a huge protest movement sweeping across Iran with the BBC’s international correspondent Lyse Doucet. And the James Bond film franchise is 60! Adam speaks to producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson about when we can expect the next film. Newscast ...

Oct 04, 202237 min

Tax Cut Cut

The government has U-turned on plans to scrap the 45p rate of income tax for higher earners, a day after the prime minister committed to them. Chris and Adam are in Birmingham for the Conservative party conference, where Kwasi Kwarteng defended economic plans but admitted there had been “a little turbulence”. Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Grant Shapps joins them, as does Bloomberg’s Stephanie Flanders. Newscast was hosted by Adam Fleming and political editor Chris Mason. This episo...

Oct 03, 202236 min

Laura’s Liz Truss Interview

We bring you Laura Kuenssberg’s interview with Liz Truss, in which the prime minister said she was committed to scrapping the 45p top rate of tax, but called it ‘a decision the chancellor made’. Straight after coming off air, we also get Laura’s thoughts on what the prime minister had to say and what Michael Gove said in response. Newscast is hosted by Adam Fleming. This episode was made by Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.

Oct 02, 202244 min

Beyond the Palin

As energy prices go up for millions of households this weekend, Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis and The Economist’s Soumaya Keynes explain what could happen to our bills. Alex is in Westminster to talk through the PM’s emergency meeting with the Office for Budget Responsibility. And comedian and documentary maker Michael Palin tells Adam about his recent travels through Iraq, his previous experience in Ukraine, and why Monty Python director Terry Gilliam’s humour is unique. Today’s Newscast was...

Sep 30, 202237 min

Alan Partridge on Liz Truss

On the day when the country’s attention turned to BBC local radio as Liz Truss did the morning interview round, we hear what Steve Coogan, and Alan Partridge, make of the PM. Also on with Adam, Chris and Jo is BBC broadcasting legend David Dimbleby, who has some choice words about the economic challenges people in the country are facing. And, Tory MP Bim Afolami explains why he’s still got full confidence in the prime minister and chancellor. Newscast was hosted by Adam Fleming, Political Editor...

Sep 29, 202234 min

The Liz Truss BBC Local Radio Interviews

Liz Truss speaks to eight BBC Local Radio stations, defending her mini-budget, saying she was prepared to make "controversial and difficult decisions" to get the economy moving. Newscast has assembled the full set of interviews. The BBC local radio round has been a pre-conference tradition for political party leaders for many years, a chance to speak directly to voters. Thanks to our colleagues at BBC Local Radio in Leeds, Norfolk, Kent, Lancashire, Nottingham, Tees, Bristol and Stoke who produc...

Sep 29, 20221 hr

Bank Statement

The government has rejected calls to abandon its mini-budget despite the Bank of England having to step in, in an unprecedented move, amid market turmoil. Adam is joined by Chris, Simon Jack, the FT’s Gillian Tett and author Duncan Weldon to help us understand the economics, politics and history behind what’s going on. This episode of Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade and Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. The editor was Jonathan Aspinwall.

Sep 28, 202236 min

Loud and Keir?

How did the Labour leader’s conference speech go down in Liverpool? Adam heads to Merseyside and is joined by Chris and shadow climate change secretary Ed Miliband to discuss Sir Keir Starmer’s speech at his party’s conference. The BBC’s Science Editor Rebecca Morelle is also on to explain why flying a spacecraft directly into an asteroid is actually a really clever idea. This episode of Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with Miranda Slade and Chris Flynn. The technical producer was Emma Crowe. ...

Sep 27, 202234 min

Pound Down

Newscast's guide to Sterling's historic slide. As the Bank of England and the chancellor try to steady the ship, we explain the forces behind the fall in value of the pound, as well as the economic jargon being used to describe what’s going on. Head of Bloomberg Economics Stephanie Flanders joins Adam and Chris to help. And the former shadow chancellor John McDonnell gives his view from Liverpool, where the Labour conference is taking place. This episode of Newscast was made by Tim Walklate with...

Sep 26, 202232 min

Mini Maxi Budget

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unveils the biggest package of tax cuts in 50 years, before being questioned by Chris on his thinking. We hear what the chancellor has to say, as well as Chris’s thoughts, and those of the Financial Times’ Clear Barrett and former Bank of England Chief Economist, Andy Haldane. Also pop star sensation Dua Lipa stops by to talk about making social media algorithms kinder, if there’s still a place for livestreaming in the music industry post-lockdown, and her new podcast. ...

Sep 23, 202236 min

What’s the story Lord Bilimoria?

Chris is back from his trip to New York with the prime minister and joins Adam and Alex to talk about the government’s latest economic plans, and investments in health and social care. With them are Lord Karan Bilimoria, who founded and chairs Cobra Beer, as well as Natasha Loder, health policy editor at The Economist. They also look ahead to more economic announcements tomorrow. This episode of Newscast was made by Chris Flynn and Danny Wittenberg. The assistant editor was Alison Gee. The edito...

Sep 22, 202233 min

Nuclear Threats

President Putin has sent the West a veiled nuclear warning and says he’s not bluffing. Chris is in New York, where world leaders have gathered for the UN General Assembly. He joins Adam to discuss their reaction, and Sarah Rainsford explains what is behind the words coming from the Kremlin. Also, 33 million people have been affected by floods in Pakistan – Rajini Vaidyanathan has been talking to people who have lost their homes. And the UK government has announced plans to help businesses cope w...

Sep 21, 202236 min

Transatlantic Trussonomics

Liz Truss has signalled she will go ahead with her plan to lift the cap on bankers’ bonuses, in her first interview with Chris Mason as prime minister. Chris joins Adam from New York, where Truss is attending the UN General Assembly. 47 people have been arrested in Leicester over the last few weeks after clashes involving mainly young men from sections of Muslim and Hindu communities. BBC Correspondent Navtej Johal discusses the situation in the city, and the BBC's Zubair Ahmed describes the rea...

Sep 20, 202236 min
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